Injury Puts Doubts Over National Derby For Ricciardo
By Jeff Collerson
Flying Ricciardo's Group 1 Ladbrokes National Derby campaign is in limbo with trainer Kristy Sultana revealing the champion sprinter is recovering from a hairline fracture of the hock.
"The veterinary surgeon in Melbourne who treated the dog when he suffered the injury did not think it would have a lasting effect on his career,'' Sultana said.
"But the dog is going to need another X-ray to see how things are progressing and right now he is still pretty sore.''
Flying Ricciardo suffered the injury when trialling at The Meadows in the lead up to the Silver Chief series in the Victorian capital.
It came just a week after the brilliant son of Barcia Bale and Megalodon captured his first Group 1 when he stared down and raced past Australian Greyhound Of The Year Sion Told Helen to win the Group 1 Sportsbet Megastar Final at Dapto on December 10.
Flying Ricciardo, the ideal age for the Derby, has had 19 wins and three seconds from 23 races and is a worthy favourite for the Group 1 National Derby series, to be held at Wentworth Park on January 15 and 23.
Wow, the only NSW greyhound approaching Flying Ricciardo in terms of class and current form following his stunning track record performance in the heats of the Gosford Gold Cup on Sunday, is too old for the age restricted classic event.
